Q:

I am wondering how most violent "stranger-rapes" are initiated. (Punches? An incapacitating blow of some sort?) This is related to a recent discussion in my karate class wherein it was theorized that it would be something of this sort. With respect to teaching/learning self defense, it would be helpful to know what the common pattern is regarding method of attack. Do you have any helpful information?

A.

Actually most stranger rapes are initiated with an interview to see if you are a good victim. Go here for an article on interviews -- http://www.rapeescape.com/interview.htm

You'll see that the attacker needs to close the distance before attacking.

Then the attacker will tell you, "Don't scream or I'll kill you" or a variation which can be something like "do what I tell you and you won't get hurt".

If the attacker has successfully picked a "good" victim and attacked in a place or manner where there is privacy, the threat of force may be enough to get the defender to comply without using force.

However! All attacks are different. Some are simply a wrist grab to drag you somewhere private (like the Carli Bruscia attack) while others are a brutal blitzkrieg attack as described in the Defend University newsletter where the guy does punch you in the face. Or the attack of a woman in a Wal-Mart parking lot where he hit her over the back of the head (from behind) with a pipe.

I will say that a very common attack is a front choke (like Kobe Bryant) or a rear choke, the rear choke being a type of blitz attack that is very dangerous because of the mindset of the attacker.

Then you have cases of the victim being choked by a cord or cord-like object, smothered with a pillow, pushed into a car and held face-down on the front seat. I know women who have been thrown down to the ground from both the front and behind and I know a woman who was threatened with a brick. A recent attack which you might have seen was at another Wal-Mart when Megan Holden was simply shoved into a truck from behind. Other cases involve an attacker who is already nude, standing at the side of your bed with a knife at your throat...

As you can see, I believe that there is really no easily identifiable pattern. Basically the equation is:

Criminal + Opportunity + Victim = Crime.

You are simply one part of the equation. The solution? Change the parts of the equation in which you have control -- "victim" and "opportunity".  

Make sure that you control the opportunities for attack.  Use barriers -- lock your doors and windows.  Recognize and avoid danger zones and transitional areas. 

Then, work on how change your "victim" status to "defender" status.  Get self-defense training, realistic self-defense training.  That's why the Rape Escape method starts with the worst scenario -- he has you pinned on your back and is in between your thighs -- and works backwards. The first level covers the 9 most common sexual assault positions that you will most probably find yourself in, regardless of the initial gambit used to start the attack. Level 2 deals with date rape scenarios and Level 3 answers the questions of what to do when the attacker has a weapon (cord, club, knife, gun).

You might not be able to have any control over the criminal, but you certainly have control over denying the attacker the opportunity and then making yourself a "bad" target.

Keep training and stay safe!

Brad Parker